With midterm elections looming, Vice President Selina Meyer is scoring higher ratings than the president in several popularity polls, which she hopes will boost her influence and help her curry favor with the chief executive. But as she knows all too well, even the most banal action can set off a ripple effect that has unexpected, far-reaching – and often disastrous – consequences.

The Emmy®-nominated comedy series VEEP kicks off its ten-episode second season SUNDAY, APRIL 14 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Created by Armando Iannucci (Oscar® nominee for co-writing “In the Loop”), the show stars Emmy®-winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, who becomes vice president, only to discover The Job is nothing like she expected, but everything she was warned about.

VEEP follows the whirlwind day-to-day existence of Vice President Meyer as she puts out political fires, juggles a busy public schedule and demanding private life, and defends the president’s interests, even as she tries to improve her dysfunctional relationship with the chief executive.

The returning ensemble cast of the show also includes Tony Hale (“Arrested Development”) as Gary, Vice President Meyer’s right-hand man; Anna Chlumsky (“In the Loop”) as Amy, her chief of staff; Reid Scott (“My Boys”) as Dan, an ambitious political aide; Matt Walsh (HBO’s “Hung”) as Mike, Vice President Meyer’s weathered spokesperson; Timothy C. Simons (“Days Together”) as Jonah, an enterprising but annoying White House liaison; and Sufe Bradshaw (“Overnight”) as Sue, Vice President Meyer’s executive assistant.

Guest stars on the new season include Gary Cole (HBO’s “Entourage”), as Kent Davison, the president’s new senior strategist, Kevin Dunn (HBO’s “Luck”) as Ben, the president’s chief of staff, and Jessica St. Clair (“Bridesmaids”), as Dana, Gary’s new girlfriend.

Fresh off successful campaign appearances for midterm elections, Selina sees an opportunity to expand her role, but must first curry favor with Kent Davison, the president’s icy senior strategist. Meanwhile, there are new developments in the staff’s personal lives.

Teleplay by Will Smith; story by Armando Iannucci & Will Smith; directed by Christopher Morris.

As a hostage crisis in Uzbekistan heats up, Selina and Secretary of Defense General Maddox have trouble getting on the same page at their joint appearance at the Marine Corps Base at Quantico. Sue testifies at a congressional hearing on governmental efficiencies; Dan and Gary jockey for the Veep’s ear.

Selina is rankled when the White House releases an unflattering photo of her. Mike and Kent bond over sailing; Jonah gets an executive parking space; Sue has a job interview. Selina takes steps to keep her staff happy as they prepare for her appearance at the Vic Allen dinner.